Thorp Air Command - T18.net

If building new, is it really worth the trouble and expense to go with electric elevator trim?

Do you save much or any space in the tunnel?

I tend to like manual from as my experience with electric trim is that I either have too much or too little and find it hard to get the exact trim I want. With manual it just seems more infinite adjustable and I have more "feel" to adjust the trim.

Which is lighter: manual or electric?

I do plan on electric flaps to safe the tunnel and comfort space. Also I plan electric aileron trim because I don't know how to really make aileron trim manual that is effective.

Maybe this year at KY Dam I will have to fly and feel how others have their electric elevator trim set up. If I'm going electric for the rest I may as well go all the way!

By the way, my wife IS coming to KY Dam this year! Can hardly wait.

I just recently made the switch to electric pitch and roll trim. I like it better than the manual trim for both axes.

In the past it was more difficult to find the exact motor to give the right proportion. If you use the Dayton geared motor for electric elevator trim, I think you'll be happy with the result. Another consideration might be how you intend to actuate the motor. 66WT has a panel mounted switch to move the motor. 218TH will have a coolie hat on the stick connected to relays then to the motor. I am happy with the result on WT - 218TH....I'll let you know next year.

Like you, I prefer the manual for most of the same reasons. There are pros & cons. The electric set up will be heavier I believe, and the extra weight is all in the tail. Not a big deal though on the Thorp. I didn't find the right angle drive I used, or the 1/4" drive tube to be any issue for me - it does take up a little room in the tunnel.

_________________
John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

I believe you will find if the speed of the trim motor it too high it will be difficult to get that "sweet spot." You only need a small movement of the trim surface to get the desired results . Small movement , slow trim speed . A too high of an RPM you will overshoot the desired trim . I am always wrong at least 50% of the time !

RB
BaBaLu

Although I definitely see the advantages of the simplicity of the original design I have to say I like my setup. I moved the rudder cables outboard and put the flaps and pitch and roll trim all on the stick. That leaves nothing in the tunnel but the stabilator push pull tube. I made the rounded tunnel clear the tube by 1/4" at its highest point of travel and the sides giving the smallest possible tunnel. Thus a little wider seats and the tunnel sticks barely above the seats. It makes for a significant amount of extra room, worth the effort as long as you don't have to scrap any work you have already completed. My two cents.

David : That is the way to go ! If I had it to do over that would be 1st on my list no matter how much work it took .

RB
Shazam

I'm with you, Rich... I like what David did very much, and I'd definitely copy that if I was going to do it again (maybe in another life!). Right now I'm workin' on trying to make a nice Kitfox.

_________________
John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE